American Revolution Links

The Declaration of Independence - A History - A great history of the Declaration of Independence from the events leading up to the drafting of the document to the signing to the ways it has been protected since it was written. A very good resource.

The American Revolution - a Complete Timeline - A great timeline and overview of the Revolutionary War with lots of facts, photographs and information. This is the place to start for information on this period.

Causes of the American Revolution - At this site you find a vast amount of information, arranged in an easy to use fashion, about the individual causes of the American Revolution, from the French and Indian War in 1754 to the first Continental Congress in 1774. This is a very good resource.

Liberty! The American Revolution - This is a great site by PBS on all of the aspects of the "two and a half decades of debate and rebellion, war and peace" that was the Revolutionary War. The site includes headlines, timelines, resource material, and lots of information on daily Life in the Colonies.

American Revolution - This is a wonderful resource which will help kids appreciate the American Revolutionary period. The text begins, "It is nearly night when you arrive at your destination: Boston, Mass., 1775. Citizens have closed and shuttered their windows, and you notice a tenseness in the air. One rowdy fellow emerges from a nearby tavern, talking angrily about the British and Boston Harbor" Here you will find some different resources presented in a very entertaining manner.

Revolutionary War - An easy to use site which includes information about "the ships and naval equipment, battles, weapons, flags, and famous people involved in the war". A great place to find information and illustrations.

Explore the Amazing World of Early America - This site offers the opportunity to learn about life in this time period from the media of the day - its newspapers, maps, magazines and writings. The wealth of documents include Ben Franklin's "Philadelphia Gazette" and a map printed in an English magazine showing Washington's defeats. This site offers a different and very interesting perspective on this period.

The Life of George Washington - This is a fascinating resource about George Washington, published eight years his death by David Ramsay, a "contemporary of Washington, historian Ramsay writes with the knowledge and insights one acquires only by being on the scene. Actually, Ramsay was an active player in the momentous events of America's unfolding drama". It covers Washington's life from his early years until his death in 1799.

History at Valley Forge - A great resource for this period of history. You will find information about the history, the people, a special section about George Washington and more. A great place to find information on this time period.

Thomas Jefferson Online - Did you know that Thomas Jefferson's epitaph describes him as "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia. This is a wonderful website full of information about this great thinker, prepared, appropriately by the University of Virginia.

Benjamin Franklin - An Enlightened American - This is an excellent site which includes the biography, writings, inventions, quotations, wit, humor and more about this incredible person. This is a fascinating place to learn about the events and people of this historic events.

Thomas Paine National Historical Association - This is a great site dedicated to the life of "America's greatest revolutionary and journalist". Here you can learn more about a less well-known figure of the American Revolution.

Alexander Hamilton - This is an excellent site covering the biography of this historical figure, including a collection of his fascinating writings. This was a person born to fight the American Revolution.

The Birth of a Nation - This is a great site developed by sixth graders which provides information about the people, places, events and a timeline of this period.

Loyalist and British Songs and Poetry - There was another side to this conflict after all! Here you can get a feeling for the beliefs of those who chose to fight against the revolutionary army.

Monticello - A fact filled resource about Thomas Jefferson, his life and times. You will find great photographs and information about everyday life during this period.

Women Were There - The American Revolutionary War - An interesting site about the role of women in this period. Stating, that "although the call to arms was for men, several women donned the uniform of a Revolutionary soldier and fought against the British". This site covers the fascinating but true stories of the women who fought "undercover" during the U.S. war for independence.

The Shot Heard Around the World - Go online and hear the song and watch the video of the America Rock site about the American Revolution.

The Boston Tea Party - A good site about this dramatic event, with links to related events and more about the people involved.

Patrick Henry - Here you will find a straightforward site dedicated to " Patrick Henry, lawyer, patriot, and orator, was a living symbol of the American struggle for liberty and self-government".

Betsy Ross Homepage - This is a great site dedicated to the idea that one person's actions can make a difference. Here you can learn about this historical figure and go on a virtual tour of her house. As the introduction beautifully states, "Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. When we view the flag, we think of liberty, freedom, pride, and Betsy Ross. The American flag flies on the moon, sits atop Mount Everest, is hurtling out in space. The flag is how America signs her name."

The Paul Revere House - Here is a fact-filled, entertaining site dedicated to Paul Revere and the "Midnight Ride". You will also find pages for teachers and kids and more.

The Sons of Liberty - This is a simple site produced by elementary school students. Great for younger kids, especially the poems about the "Sons of Liberty".

The Loyal American Regiment - Learn more about a group of colonists who chose to fight on the side of England and who were "shunned by former friends and neighbors and forced from their homesSome just wanted to escape the rebels. Some wanted to fight them. There is always two sides to every conflict and here you can learn more about the other side in the Revolutionary War.

King George, III - A concise biography of the British monarch whose "commitment to taxing the American colonies to pay for his military protection" led to the American Revolution. Did you know the colonists proclaimed independence in 1776, but King George stubbornly continued the war until 1781!

Activities and Games

Clickable Maps of the Revolutionary War - Here you will find a map of all of the battle locations of the Revolutionary War which you can click on to learn more about individual events of this period.

Kids Page at Valley Forge - Here you will find some excellent resources for kids to understand this time period including Valley Forge, Benjamin Franklin and other interesting and fun items such as "Spy System 1777". Play some online games about the Revolutionary War, including "Match the Georges" and "What Are They Saying".

The Road to Revolution - This is an online game prepared by PBS to test your Revolutionary War knowledge.

Archeology at Colonial Williamsburg - This is a wonderful site about the study of life during this time period. Here you will find quizzes, puzzles, games and more about life in Colonial Williamsburg.

Revolutionary War Inquiry Web - This is a successful project developed in a fifth grade class studying the American Revolution which uses the "collaborative group inquiry approach". The class started by creating and discussing two "Inquiry Webs" of well-known figures and major events in the American Revolution.

Historic Mile Tour Virtual Tour - This is the place to go to tour the historic points in Philadelphia which relate to this time period, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Old City Hall, Congress Hall, Franklin Court, the Betsy Ross House, Old St. Augustine's Church, the City Tavern and more! Great photos and information accompany you on this virtual tour.

Documents, Writings and Speeches

Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions - Patrick Henry (1765)

The Natural Rights of Colonists - Samuel Adams (1772)

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of taking up Arms - (1775)

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death - Patrick Henry (1775)

Jefferson's Draft of the Declaration of Independence - (1776)

Final Text of the Declaration of Independence - (1776)

Articles of Confederation - (1778)

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)

Documents

Albany Plan of Union, 1754
An appeal to Parliament that a governing body be established especially for the American colonies.

 

American history hypertext
This site, described as a "hypertext in American history" and "a www project in collective writing," has links to hundreds of documents on Revolutionary-era figures and events.

 

Articles of Confederation
Here you'll find the complete text of the United States' first plan of government.

 

Benjamin Franklin page
This website provides a laudatory examination of Franklin's life and accomplishments.

 

Bill of Rights
National Archives site on the U.S. Bill of Rights

 

Boston Tea Party
This site provides a brief history of the Boston Tea Party.

 

Constitution
National Archives site on U.S. Constitution

 

Currency of the Colonies
This site shows examples of currency from each of the 13 colonies. Also included are examples of lottery tickets and a link to images of coins.

 

Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

 

Declaring Independence
Drafting the major documents including a time line, documents, and objects in the exhibition.

 

Flags from the Colonial Period America
This site shows flags associated with the colonies and the early United States.

 

Franklin autobiography
This site includes the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, edited by Charles W Eliot.

 

Franklin timetable
This site includes a timetable of events in the life of Benjamin Franklin.

 

Hamilton biography
This site includes a biography of Alexander Hamilton, with links to other sites on revolutionary figures and events.

 

Jefferson letters
This site contains selected letters of Thomas Jefferson, 1760-1810.

 

John Adams biography
With links to other sites, this page includes John Adams' biography and provides a short bibliography.

 

Liberty - The American Revolution
The PBS companion site to its documentary - Liberty! The American Revolution

 

Lord North biography
With links to sites on the Boston Tea Party and other Revolutionary War sites, this page provides a short biography of Lord North and context for the revolutionary conflict.

 

Military Warrant, 1783
The Virginia Land Office issued this 1783 warrant for one hundred acres of western land to Moses Wade for his service in the "Virginia Continental line."

 

Nathan Hale biography
This page provides a short biography of Nathan Hale.

 

Patrick Henry page
This page contains biographical materials on Patrick Henry, and the text of some of his orations.

 

Pitt on Stamp Act
This site provides text for William Pitt's speech on the Stamp Act.

 

Resolution of Independence
National Archives site describing document: a July 2, 1776 "resolution" for independence.

 

Revolution question
This site considers revolution theory and the ways in which the American Revolution was and was not revolutionary.

 

Revolutionary Era Slave Documents
Letters from slaveowners, receipts, maps from revolutionary era.

 

Revolutionary War Flags
Examples of the various flags used during the American revolution e.g., Stars and Stripes, Don't tread on me, Betsy Ross

 

Revolutionary War sources
Provided by the Revolutionary War Website, dedicated to organizations involved in re-enacting battles from the war, this site provides links to pages on Ben Franklin, George Washington, Nathan Hale, and other 18th century sources.

 

Slavery Letters
Text and paraphrase of letters from slaveowners in the age of the revolution

 

The Battles at Saratoga
Site dedicated to to what many consider to be one of the most decisive battles in world history.

 

The Federalist Papers
Unabridged online version of this important document by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison

 

The History of the Star Spangled Banner
An indepth look into the history of the Flag, and the events which led to Francis Scott Key to compose what eventually became the American national anthem.

 

The Shot Heard 'Round the World
A mural and text dedicated to the battle which sparked the American Revolution. This site is geared primarily toward elementary students.

 

Time Line 1764-1775
Time Line of events in the colonies in the Age of Revolution, 1764-1775.

 

Townsend Duties
This page is a short history of the context behind the Townsend Acts.

 

Treaty of Paris
The text of the 1763 Treaty of Paris is contained in this site.

 

Washington Papers
Accessible at the site are both letters written to Washington as well as letters and documents written by him.

Maps

European Possessions on North American Continent, 1783
This map shows Spanish and British possessions in North America, as well as territories belonging to the new United States.

 

Hall of Presidential Portraits
National Portrait Gallery - Hall of Presidents

 

Location of Native American Tribes, 1783
This map shows the location of Native American Tribes on the eastern side of the Mississippi River in 1783.

 

Massachusets Bay, 1776
This site contains "Bowles's Map of the Seat of War in New England, 1776."

 

Revolutionary America Maps
This site run by the University of Georgia Libraries contains 15 maps of the American states during the Revolutionary War era.

 

Revolutionary Georgia
This site run by the University of Georgia Libraries contains Revolutionary War-era maps of Georgia.

Images

Boston's Old State House
Site of the infamous 'Boston Massacre' and of the first Boston reading of the Declaration of Independence

 

Fort Ticonderoga
Site of first American victory in revolution

 

George Washington's Military Sword
A full color photograph of General Washington's hanger-type battle sword, as displayed in the Smithsonian.

 

John Adams Portrait
National Portrait gallery - John Adams

 

National Portrait Gallery
"The Age of Revolution" portrait gallery. Complete with Bios and portraits of individuals involved with the American revolution.

 

Soldiers in Snow
A re-creation of an American revolutionary brigade in winter

 

The Gunboat 'Philadelphia'
A photograph of the gunboat Philadelphia in the Smithsonian Institute

 

Thomas Jefferson Portrait
National Portrait Gallery - Thomas Jefferson

 

Washington Presidential Portrait
National Portrait Gallery - Washington's presidential portrait

 

Washington at War
National Museum of American History's page dedicated to George Washington-related revolutionary war equipment.

Syllabi

American history outline
An on-line syllabus of American history is provided at this site. Its first three entries, "The Colonial Period," "The War of Independence," and "The Formation of National Government," each have links to many sites containing documents, biographies, and accounts of events relating to the Revolutionary era.

 

Origins of slavery
This syllabus is on the origins and nature of new world slavery, a two-week seminar.

 

Undergraduate-course syllabus
A course on "Revolutionary America" taught by Professor J. Williams of Middle Tennessee State University.

 

Undergraduate-course syllabus
A course on "Revolutionary America and the Early Republic" taught by Professor G. Kornblith of Oberlin College.

 

Undergraduate-course syllabus
A course in "Anglo-American Political Culture, 1600-1750," taught by Professor N. Key of Eastern Illinois University

Educational

Bibliography--Letters of John and Abigail Adams
List of sources to locate primary materials (letters) of John and Abigail Adams

 

Bibliography--Women and Revolution
A list of secondary sources which appear suitable for undergraduate reading.

 

Bibliography--Women and Revolution
Reading lists which appears suitable for undergraduate reading.

 

Virtual Tour of Historic Philadelphia
Visit the Independence Hall and other historic sites via the Web.

American Revolution @ HistoryChannel.com
Resource sells documentaries on the war and offers a series of related articles.

American Revolution.org
Outfit assembles scholarly and local analysis, as well as providing over a thousand links.

Virtual Marching Tour
Resource covers the battles and the people of the war.

Liberty! The American Revolution
PBS Online provides insight into all aspects of the conflict and life surrounding it.

American Revolution Homepage
Comprehensive timeline accompanied by photographs.

The Revolutionary War
Hypertext accounts examine political and military events; provide biographies and quotes; sample writings of the time.

Journey Towards Freedom
Reference tool and discussion forum designed by ThinkQuest, featuring an illustrated tour of historical sites.

The History Place
Textual rendering of significant events of the conflict in the form of a series of detailed timelines.

Encyclopedia Brittanica
Survey account of the war offers links, photographs, summaries and maps.

Internet Modern History Sourcebook
Fordham University resource provides links to historical documents connected with the conflict.